Memories of those who died in Vietnam return to these local vets

Vietnam War veteran, Steve McCurry, was emotional when he recalled his trip to Washington, DC with the Blue Ridge Honor Flight in April. McCurry, who spent a year in Vietnam during the war, had never been to Washington before and said he will never forget the experience.

"It was fantastic, terrific...I don't know where to start," he began.

An image he had seen many times while in Saigon came back to him as he witnessed two little Vietnamese children running toward the Blue Ridge Honor Flight veterans.

"It brought back a lot of sad memories," he said, watching the children break away from their parents and run to the veterans.

Sgt. Major Don Barrett, also on the trip, welcomed the two little boys as they ran toward him. He said he had also seen similar sites while in Vietnam of children running toward the American soldiers.

"They came up to me and grabbed my hands and kept saying 'thanks for your service, thanks for your service'," Barrett said.

When McCurry, Barrett and Vietnam veteran Raymond Jones, all from Rutherford County on the flight, arrived at the Vietnam War Memorial together McCurry said it was also a time of remembrance.

"We were all at the wall at the same time," McCurry said through tears. "It was very emotional being there together," he said.

Barrett said he had visited the Vietnam Memorial Wall three times in previous years. But being there with his fellow Vietnam veterans was stirring.

While at the wall, Barrett said he had an opportunity to remember three soldiers he knew in Vietnam and had been in boot camp together.

"I was able to go back there and see those names and touch them," he continued.

"Everybody knew someone who died in the war," McCurry said. "Even if we didn't have real close friends who died, we knew relatives from high school," an emotional McCurry said.

Jones said the trip was wonderful and the veterans were given everything they needed during the day.

He had visited the Vietnam Wall many years ago, but when he was there recently with the other vets, it was different and more meaningful.

"I am trying to impress on other veterans to do this," Jones said. "Many are getting feeble and they need to go soon," he said. " It was extremely meaningful," he added.

McCurry said the hospitality of the Blue Ridge Honor Flight staff was wonderful and he commended them for a "fantastic job."

"It felt good to be around those who had your back," he continued.

Barrett echoed his comments. "Anytime you can be around other veterans, it is a good thing."

"I enjoyed the day tremendously, the camaraderie," McCurry added.

Michael Barrett was his dad's guardian for the day. When he learned of the trip, Michael asked to join his dad. Michael is also a war veteran, having fought in the Iraqi War.

"My son being my guardian...I don't know who it meant more to, me or him," Sgt. Major said.

"My father received two Purple Hearts during his time in the Vietnam War," Michael said. "The opportunity and experience gained from participating and supporting my father, my hero, during this year's Blue Ridge Honor Flight, is something I will cherish for the rest of my life," he said.

Another highlight on the trip for Sgt. Major was being greeted by one of his former R-S Central JROTC cadets Jimmy Hensley. He was waiting for the veterans when they stepped off the bus in DC. He served as an honorary guardian for the Rutherford County veterans.

Hensley, who lives in Maryland, has spent his entire career as a helicopter mechanic for the President," Don Barrett said.

Lisa Barrett, who travels with veterans all most of the Blue Ridge Honor Flights, served as the guardian for McCurry and Jones.

"It was such a blessing being Steve and Raymond's Guardian," Lisa said.

She said having the father-son Barretts and Jimmy Hensley in the group added such value to the group.

"They gave my veterans (McCurry, Jones) what I could not, that sense of camaraderie, a common bond that only veterans share, especially combat veterans," she said.

"Watching and listening to the way they cared for one another, was priceless. Watching them and listening to them interact with one another discussing the perils of war throughout the day was something I will not soon forget," she said.

"As a mother, my heart broke thinking about how their moms and loved ones must have felt," Lisa said.

Veteran McCurry said, "The trip helped me heal from some of the rejections of the 1970s. . .and then those two little Vietnamese children, well, they said it all," he said.

Sgt. Major Barrett commended the Blue Ridge Honor Flight for their contribution in making sure the Vietnam veterans are welcomed back home.

"The whole thing with the Blue Ridge Honor Flight wanting to give us a 'welcome home' we never received, well that's the absolute truth," added Sgt. Major Don Barrett.